Abstract
The effects of Tienchi ginseng [Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen] on blood pressure and lipid metabolism were investigated using stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) as an animal model. An experimental diet was prepared by adding 3% (w/w) Tienchi ginseng powder to the control diet (CE-2, Clea Japan Inc.), and thiS was made freely available to the rats with drinking water for 7 weeks. The elevation of systolic blood pressure was effectively suppressed after 5 weeks on the diet, and thereafter the blood pressure remained almost constant (approximately 230 mmHg). A significant difference relative to the control group was observed at 6 weeks on the diet. Although there was no significant difference in serum lipid concentration, the serum apoE concentration was increased significantly. This increase in apoE was due mainly to elevation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) 1, which is one of the HDL subfractions and rich in apoE. HDL1 is known to play an important role in reverse cholesterol transport from peripheral tissues to the liver. In addition, the apoB/apoA-I ratio, which is considered to be an atherogenic index, was significantly reduced. On the other hand, in the liver, no significant change was observed in lipid content or the activities of hepatic microsomal enzymes (cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, acyl-CoA: cholesterol acyltransferase) related to cholesterol metabolism. These results suggest that Tienchi ginseng powder may exert effective anti-hypertensive and anti-atherogenic actions.
